Degree Info at a Glance

Successful graduates of this program are educated and trained in Pharmacy Technician duties and responsibilities, under the guidelines of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

The structured classroom curriculum includes customer service, communication, prescription processing, aseptic technique, human relations, and pharmacy calculations. The clinical component of the program gives the student a chance to practice the skills received in the classroom and laboratory environment. This prepares the student to assume the role of a pharmacy technician in a variety of pharmacy settings.

Included in this program are academic courses in communication, quantitative reasoning, and social sciences that provide knowledge and abilities that enhance personal development and serve as a foundation for technical skills.

This program is a combination of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. Students are required to carry personal health/medical insurance throughout their clinical rotations. Quarterly based insurance for students may be purchased; further information is available through the Advising/Counseling Office. No student will be allowed at clinical sites without proof of insurance. The ability to stand, lift, bend and type are required to work as a pharmacy technician.

Students pursuing an AAT or AAS-T degree must complete all college degree requirements prior to graduation. This includes courses that meet the requirements for diversity, computer literacy and the capstone project.

Employability Requirement: Graduation from a Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) approved technical training program. The PQAC requires all applicants to provide proof of passing a national pharmacy technician certification examination. Four hours of AIDS education and training as required under WAC 246-901- 120. A comprehensive background check will be conducted to screen for prior convictions prior to state licensing. Persons with some types of criminal convictions may not be eligible for licensure.

Program Length: This program is approximately three to four quarters long, depending on the time students need to satisfactorily complete all graduation requirements.

Admission Dates: Summer, fall and spring quarters.

Prerequisites: Before starting the program a student must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma.

To enter the program, students must meet the prerequisite for collegelevel reading, writing, and math. They must have completed a collegelevel math course, CAH 105 Computer Applications or equivalent, and a five-credit Medical Terminology course. Students must maintain a B or above in all technical and general education courses to continue in the program.

Students will have a comprehensive background check performed by the PQAC prior to their clinical rotation. Students must be at least 18 years of age by the time clinical experience starts. Students must have current immunizations or laboratory verification of immune status. This could include, but is not limited to, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis B series and titer, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Tuberculosis Test, Current Flu and Varicella, as required by contracts with clinical facilities and CDC recommendations.

Students must have current American Heart Association CPR for the Healthcare Professional. Proof of immunizations should be submitted the first day of class unless arrangements have been made with instructor.

Program Requirements

Course #

Course Name

Credits

BIOL& 175

Human Biology w/Lab
(BIOL 118 will be accepted through 2015)

5

CAH 102

Medical Terminology

5

CAH 105CL

Computer Applications

5

CMST& 220

Public Speaking

5

ENGL& 101

English Composition I

5

MAT 108

Math for Health Occupations (Preferred) OR
MAT 107 Business Mathematics OR
MATH& 141 Precalculus I